Tablet dispenser



Aug. 25, 1942. E T, RTTTER 2,294,001

TABLET DISPENSER Filed Jn. 2, 1941l INVE/V TOR. FEED/NMD 7T RMU-IR.

WMM

Patented Aug. 25, 1942 4- Claims.

This invention relates to a novel tablet dispenser, particularly for medicinal tablets or pellets, and the prime purpose of my invention is to provide a dispenser which can be easily carried by the user, and from which one or more tablets can be quickly and easily dispensed without disturbing the remaining tablets in the dispenser.

A feature of my invention resides in the novel tablet dispenser from which one or more tablets can be taken Without having to return various tablets due to an excessive number pouring from the device.

Another feature of my invention resides in the novel tablet dispenser, of the character stated, in which medicinal tablets can be easily carried, and which are separated and insulated from body temperatures.

Another object of my invention is to provide a novel tablet dispenser of a barrel type, the tablets being dispensed by rotating a part of the barrel.

Other objects, advantages and features of invention may appear from the accompanying drawing, subjoined detailed description, or the appended claims.

In the drawing:

Figure 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of my tablet dispenser.

Figure 2 is a top plan view of the tablet retainer.

Figure 3 is a sectional View taken on line 3 3 of Figure 1.

Figure 4 is a longitudinal sectional view of a slightly modied form of the lower portion of the barrel.

Referring more particularly to the drawing, the numeral I indicates a tablet containing barrel. The upper end of the barrel is normally closed by a cap 2, which is pressed on to the barrel I, or threaded on to the barrel, if desired, and is removed by the user prior to dispensing the tablets. The cap 2 may include a clip 3 for the purpose of holding the dispenser in a pocket.

A tablet retaining cap 4 is xedly mounted on the upper end of the barrel I. This cap is preferably made of a suitable resilient material such as rubber, plastic, or the like. The cap 4 includes a plurality of yieldable ngers 5, which extend over the open end of the barrel I, and normally hold the tablets or pellets 6 within the barrel.

An upward pressure on the tablets or pellets 6 will cause the lingers to yield or be pressed outwardly, thus dispensing the tablets one at a time. The barrel I is i'lxedly attached at the lower end to a coupling 'I. The barrel may be threaded, or

`otherwise xedly attached to the coupling. An

CFI

operating or controlled barrel 8 is rotatably mounted on the coupling I by suitable means such as the sleeve 9, which is xedly attached to the control barrel 8, and is rotatably mounted in the coupling I by means of the inwardly extending ring portion I 0.

A plunger II is mounted for longitudinal movement in the barrels I and 8, and is externally threaded, as shown at I2. The threads I2 mesh with internal threads in the coupling 'I so that rotation of the plunger relative to the coupling 'I will cause longitudinal movement of the plunger in the barrels I and. 8. The barrel 8 is provided with splines I3, which extend longi- .tudinally of the barrel, and thence splines enter suitable notches or grooves in the head I4 on the plunger I I, thus rotation of the control barrel 8 will also rotate the plunger I I, and cause this plunger to move longitudinally in the dispenser. A head I5 may be formed on the upper end of the plunger I I to substantially lill the transverse space in the barrel I. The tablets 6 rest on top of the head I5, and are moved upwardly in the barrel I as the plunger I I is moved longitudinally by rotation of the control barrel 8, as previously described. Upward movement of the plunger II will thus force the tablets past the fingers 5, and dispense these tablets one at a time, as desired by the user.

In Figure 4 I have disclosed another method of mounting the control barrel on the coupling. In this instance the internally threaded coupling I6 is provided with a snap ring I'I on the lower part thereof. The control barrel I8 is provided with an annular recess to receive the snap ring I 'I, thus rotatably mounting the control barrel on the coupling. The plunger, as well as the dispensing barrel, is similar to the construction previously described.

In lling my tablet dispenser with additional tablets or pellets from time to time it is advisable to unscrew the barrel I from the coupling 1. The additional pellets or tablets are then dropped into the barrel, and the barrel is again screwed on to the coupling, and is ready for use. Before adding additional tablets or pellets the plunger II is retracted to its lowermost position, which is obviously necessary in filling the dispenser.

I-Iaving described my invention, I claim:

l. A tablet dispenser comprising a tablet containing barrel, a control barrel, means rotatably mounting the control barrel on the rst named barrel, a plunger, said plunger extending into both of said barrels, means interconnecting the control barrel and the plunger, said plunger being threaded into said rst named means, whereby rotation of the control barrel will move the plunger longitudinally in the rst named barrel.

2. A tablet dispenser comprising a tablet containing barrel, a coupling mounted on said barrel, a plunger, said plunger being threaded through the coupling, and projecting into the barrel, rotation of the plunger moving the same longitudinally in the barrel, a control barrel rotatably mounted on the coupling, and means interconnecting the control barrel, and the plunger, whereby rotation of the control barrel will rotate the plunger.

3. A tablet dispenser comprising a tablet containing barrel, a control barrel, means rotatably mounting the control barrel on the first named barrel, a plunger, said plunger extending into both of said barrels, said plunger being threaded through said means, a spline in the control barrel, said plunger lengaging the spline whereby the plunger is rotated with the control barrel, and is moveable longitudinally in said barrel.

4. A tablet dispenser comprising a tablet containing barrel, a coupling mounted on said barrel, a plunger, said plunger being threaded through the coupling and projecting into the barrel, rotation of the plunger moving the same longitudinally in the barrel, a control barrel rotatably mounted on the coupling, a spline in the control barrel, said spline engaging the plunger whereby rotation of the control barrel will rotate the plunger.

FERDINAND T. RITTER. 

